Hinagiku Hat

 As the title of this post would suggest, the pattern for this hat is called Hinagiku. I have no idea how to pronounce it, so don't ask. The designer is Japanese, so that should explain it. It's available as a free download on Ravelry. I love the way it looks and fits. I knit it up in Berroco Vintage DK. The colour is so pretty and is very much loved by the recipient and her daughter. I sent it to a friend of mine, Mrs. S. She used to go to school with me, but we didn't really become friends until we went to collage together way back in 1995. They say opposites attract, and I think that happens with us. While she worked hard, I slacked off. We shared a great love of Alanis Morissette though, so our friendship was formed. I believe good friendship is rare, and so it often makes me sad that so many of my favorite friends live so far away. At least I get to see her every now and then on my trips back home. I know she has been waiting for a hat since I saw her last summer.

The great texture in this hat is created using the daisy stitch or the star stitch, as it is sometimes called. I admit that this was a little tricky at first, and I ended up ripping it back and starting again more than once. After watching a couple of youtube videos I got it down. It's not a fast stitch to knit, but it looks so great. This yet another gift that I plan on recreating for myself in the future. I even think there is some yarn in my stash that I use for it. It may not happen for some time though. I have to get finished with my mothers birthday present and fast! So I'm heading back to work. Laters!

Owls sweater

 I might be the only person who was glad winter lasted a little longer than it should have. Only because it gave me the chance to wear my new sweater a few times. This pattern is called Owls and is available on the Kate Davies website.

You may recognise the owl cables from some hats I knit for my little girls. They were made so I could practice. I knew this sweater was in my future. I knit it up in Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds in Steel Grey Suffolk. The undyed wool smelled like a petting zoo, and made me want a pet sheep! I ended up using six skeins. They came from all over the place. Two from John Lewis, Oxford Street, bought when I was over in England last summer. Once I got home I realise it was the recommended yarn for this project, so I sent my sister to get me three more skeins. She ended up getting them from Liberty of London. She's told me I will love this shop. On my next trip home I will be checking it out! Just as I was starting the ribbing around the neck I ran out of yarn. So I ended up getting the sixth and final skein from Webs. Despite the yarn coming from all over the place, I can't see any difference in the colour.

 I only made one mistake, I put on one of the sleeves back to front. It is hopefully only noticable by me. I couldn't get enough matching buttons to give every owl eyes, so I ended up putting them on every other owl. A friend from knitting group said it looks like half the owls are asleep. I like that idea, so I'll probably leave them that way.

Now I've got to get a little something in the post to my friend in Wales. When she get's it, I'll share it with you.

Happy Birthday Mrs. B.

 Four years ago I started sending out handmade birthday presents to my sisters, starting with Mrs. B. Well her birthday has rolled around again. I asked her if there was anything she wanted, but she said to surprise her. I went with this 'A Very Braidy Cowl' pattern. I knit it up in Lion Brands wool-ease in the Dark Rose Heather colourway. I'm totally in love with this pattern. It's made with really big cables that give it it's distinctive look. I used a live cast on and Kitchener stitched it together.

 I want, no, need one of my own! So now I'm on the look our for the right colour for me. I'm very fond of mustard.

Thankfully, her birthday present arrive on time and she is already wearing her new cowl. Happy birthday Mrs. B. I love you.

Uncertain

I'm not ever sure if I'm going to keep this blog up. I'm not a very decisive person. So for a few weeks I think I'm done with it; and then I come back. I'll share with you what I've been knitting lately and think about this whole blogging thing for a couple more weeks.

This is called Morning Walk Headband Earwarmer, knit up in Lion Brands Wool-ease held double. I added the same knit flower I used on my Mum coin purse I made a while back. That pattern is available here.

Here is my second Meret. It's knit up in Lion Brand Martha Steward Crafts Extra Soft Wool Blend.

Both of these were made for friends named Mrs. G. One from back home in Bournemouth, and the other one is from my new home in Pennsylvania.

Right now I'm blocking a sweater I made for myself, working on a hat, and getting ready to make the binding for a quilt. There is something else knitted on it's way to a sister in England. So while I'm trying to decide if I'm going to keep up this blog, I'm defiantly staying busy. I hope you all are too.

Oh, I'll just share this link with you for a you-tube video I thought was pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QeGWxJDRQno
Enjoy:)

Hot water bottle cover

Americans seem to be missing out on hot water bottles, as far as I can tell anyway. They are wonderful, cheap, portable, heaters. I feel lost without one on a cold night or when I'm feeling poorly. This water bottle cover is for my sister, Miss C. The pattern is available here for free. I knit it up in Sidar Crofter Chunky. It is a lovely soft cotton/wool/acrylic blend. I'm not sure it shows off the cables as well as I would like, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I had to get a little help from my friends at my local library knitting group to get this started, but it wasn't a bad knit. I'm pretty sure I will use this pattern again. I just need to find some more hot water bottles. They are not easy to come by over here.

Re-makes

It's nice to find patterns you want to come back to. Sometimes it's because you really loved it the first time around. Other times you are trying to make it better. The three finished item I'm sharing today are all remakes. The first is the Hermione Cable and Eyelet Hat. This is my fourth time knitting it up. Each time I have made it slightly differently. Always searching for the perfect fit. With this one I am most happy. I feel like it looks and fits perfectly. I will write up my changes on my Ravelry project page if you are interested in them.

Second remake is this Aviatrix baby hat. I made one a little over a year ago to take to a baby shower. I thought I'd make the same things for a baby shower I went last weekend. I love this cute hat.

These Baby Booties were meant to go with the hat, but I finished them a little late for the baby shower. The mother to be will get them tomorrow, so no harm done. Perfect for a winter baby.

I have some other finished items I put in the post to England this week. When they are received, I will share. Hope you are all keeping warm, and getting lot's a creative things done.

Handmade Christmas.

It wasn't so handmade this year. I always have good intentions, but it just doesn't quite work out. All I managed to make on time this year was a pair of socks for my Mum. They are using the Susan B. Anderson pattern from her blog. They are knit up in Patons Kroy socks FX in the colour cascade. I started knitting them while I was over in England this summer. She had said she liked them, so I knew they would become her's.

This slithery snake was made for my little Miss. I. It came five days after Christmas, because other things got in the way of my knitting. The pattern is from the book Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor. I have made two of these snakes before for my older kids. This time I decided to knit it in the round, and stuff it as I went. It's knit up in Lily sugar'n cream cotton in lot's of colours. It is by far my favorite snake (don't tell the other snakes). Every kid needs one to snuggle up in bed with.

It was very well received,  but now my older kids feel it is their turn for some handmade toys. I'd better get back to work. Happy creating everyone.